It’s not a pipeline problem. It’s a culture problem. ⚛️👩🏾 We investigate the crisis in Physics, where Black women are frequently the "Only One" in the room. We break down the "Hidden Curriculum"—the unwritten rules of the lab—and the "Pet to Threat" phenomenon, where mentors support students only until they become competent enough to be seen as competition.

1. The "Only One" Syndrome: We analyze the isolation. We discuss the TEAM-UP Report, which found that African American students have the same drive as anyone else but face a "culture of exclusion." We explain the psychological toll of "Hypervisibility"—where you are noticed for your mistakes but invisible for your achievements.

2. The "Pet to Threat" Cycle: They like you until you succeed. We expose the dynamic. We discuss the sociological pattern where mentors nurture Black women as "pets" (dependents) but turn hostile the moment those women show agency or expertise, viewing them suddenly as "threats" to the hierarchy.

3. The Myth of Objectivity: Science isn't neutral. We explore the bias. We debunk the idea that "physics is just math" and therefore free of racism. We discuss how the refusal to discuss social justice in the lab—labeling it "political" rather than "human"—is a specific tool used to silence marginalized scientists and maintain the status quo.

The full list of sources used to create this episode can be found on our Patreon under https://www.patreon.com/c/Morgrain